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Second Reading

About John Spencer

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This very learned author was, for his singular merit, elected master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge in 1667; and was afterwards preferred to the deanery of Ely. He published a "Discourse upon Prodigies," together with another concerning Prophecies, Lond. 1665; 8vo. His " Dissertatio de Urim et Thummim," &c. was printed at Cambridge, in 8vo. 1678. But his capital work is his book "De Legibus Hebræorum," the best edition of which was published by Mr. Chappelow, in two volumes folio, 1727, to which is prefixed his head, engraved at the expence of the society of Corpus Christi College. Ob. 27 May, 1695, Æt. 63.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About George Stradling

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George Stradling was educated at Jesus College in Oxford, whence he was elected a fellow of All Souls. He continued in the university during the Interregnum, and was then much esteemed by Dr. Wilson, the music professor, for his extraordinary skill on the lute. He was, upon the Restoration, made chaplain to Dr. Sheldon, bishop of London; and, about two years after, preferred to a prebend of Westminster. In 1671, he was installed chantor of Chichester, and the next year dean of that church. There is a short account of him before his "Sermons," by James Harrington, esq. who gives him the character of a man of learning and examplary life. Ob. 19 April, 1688. He lies buried in Westminster-Abbey.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Richard Meggot (Rector of St Olave, Southwark)

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Richard Meggot, of Queen's College in Cambridge, was rector of St. Olave's in Southwark, and vicar of Twickenham in Middlesex. In 1677, he succeeded Bruno Ryves, dean of Windsor, in his canonry belonging to that church; and was, in about two years after, made dean of Winchester. He was a preacher of note in this reign, in which he published several occasional sermons. Ten of his discourses were printed together in 1699, octavo. He died the 7th of Dec. 1692, and was buried in the chapel at Windsor.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About James Sharp (Archbishop of St Andrews 1661-79)

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This prelate was, soon after the Restoration, sent by the Scottish Presbyterians to improve their interest with the king, who easily prevailed with him to abandon that party. He was presently after preferred to the archbishopric of St. Andrew's, and entrusted with the management of ecclesiastical affairs in Scotland. His dignity, which was of itself sufficiently odious, became much more so when conferred on a man who was commonly esteemed the betrayer of the religion of his country; who was the friend and coadjutor of Lauderdale, and consequently a persecutor of those that differed from the established church. He was cruelly murdered by nine assassins, within a mile of St. Andrew's, the 3d of May, 1679, after he had sat in that see about seventeen years.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About John Pearson (Master of Trinity College, Cambridge 1662-73)

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This very learned and pious prelate was successively master of Jesus and Trinity colleges in Cambridge, and also Margaret professor of divinity in that university. He enjoyed several other very considerable preferments in this reign, which were as much above his ambition, as they were below his merit. He was eminently read in ecclesiastical history and antiquity, and was a most exact chronologist. He applied himself to every kind of learning that he thought essential to his profession; and was in every kind a master. His works are not numerous, but they are all excellent; and some of the least of them shew that he was one of the completest divines of his age. The chief are, his "Exposition of the Creed," in English, and his "Vindication of St. Ignatius's Epistles," in Latin. The former, which has gone through twelve or thirteen editions, is one of the most finished pieces of theology in our language. It is itself a body of divinity, but not a body without a spirit. The style of it is just; the periods are, for the most part, well turned; the method is very exact; and it is in general free from those errors which are too often found in theological systems. He died, after having entirely lost his memory, the 16th of July, 1686.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Peter Gunning

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Peter Gunning, a man of quick and lively parts, and of uncommon elocution, was one of the most distinguished persons of his time in polemical divinity. He even carried the war into the enemy's quarters, and not only attacked the Papists, but the sectaries of every denomination. As the Bible was the book which he principally studied, he was scarce equalled as a textuary. He was also well read in the fathers and ecclesiastical historians, which his memory enabled him to quote upon every occasion. His zeal for his religion, which was grounded upon the knowledge of it, was indeed extraordinary; but it never carried him to the usual excesses of bigotry; nor was he ever known to hate a man's person, because he was no friend to his tenets. He, soon after the Restoration, succeeded Dr. Tuckney, a nonconformist, in the mastership of St John's college in Cambridge, and in the chair of regius professor of divinity in that university. The ejected professor was surprised to find a generous friend and benefactor in his successor, who settled on him a handsome annuity for life. He and Dr. Pearson were the chief disputants against the Presbyterian divines, at the conference held at the Savoy, in the beginning of this reign. Bishop Burnet informs us, that "he was a dark and perplexed preacher," and that his sermons abounded with Greek and Hebrew, and quotations from the fathers. He was nevertheless admired by the court ladies: the king said, "they admired his preaching, because they did not understand him." Almost all his writings are on subjects of controversy. Ob. 6 July, 1684, Æt. 71.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Admiral William Penn

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William Pen had all those qualifications of a sea-officer which natural courage and experience can give a man of a very moderate capacity. He was well qualified to act an under part, in executing, with alacrity and vigour, what had been planned by his superiors in command. He was vice-admiral, under Monck and Dean, in the famous sea-fight with the Dutch that continued three days, and in which the gallant Tromp was defeated. He was, without declaration of War, sent to take St. Domingo from the Spaniards. The design was well laid by Cromwell, and would have been executed with great facility by a Blake; but it exceeded the capacity of Pen. In this expedition he took Jamaica, a colony which cost a great deal of blood and treasure; but which, in process of time, proved advantageous to the nation. He was father of a much greater man than himself, who is well known among the Quakers as a preacher and a writer; and throughout the world as the founder and legislator of the colony of Pensylvania.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About John Wilkins

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Dr. Wilkins, a man of a penetrating genius and enlarged understanding, seems to have been born for the improvement of every kind of knowledge to which he applied himself. He was a very able naturalist and mathematician, and an excellent divine. He disdained to tread in the beaten track of philosophy, as his forefathers had done; but struck into the new road pointed out by the great lord Bacon. Considerable discoveries were made by him and the ingenious persons who assembled at his lodgings in Oxford, before the incorporation of the Royal Society; which was principally contrived by Theodore Haak, Mr. Hartlib, and himself. His books on prayer and preaching, and especially his "Principles and Duties of Natural Religion," shew how able a divine he was. His "Essay towards a real Character and Philosophical Language" is a master-piece of invention, yet has been laughed at together with his chimeras: but even these shew themselves to be the chimeras of a man of genius. He projected the impracticable "Art of Flying," when the nature of the air was but imperfectly known. That branch of philosophy was soon after much improved by the experiments of his friend Mr. Boyle. This excellent person whose character was truly exemplary, as well as extraordinary, died much lamented, the 19th of Nov. 1672.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About John Dolben (Dean of Westminster, 1662-83)

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John Dolben, who distinguished himself by the early pregnancy of his parts, at Westminster school, was, in 1640, elected a student of Christ-church in Oxford. In the Civil War, when that city was made a garrison for the king, he entered a volunteer into the royal army. He acquitted himself so well in his military capacity, that he was soon made an ensign, and at length advanced to the rank of a major. Upon the disbanding of the army, he again applied himself to his studies; and having entered into holy orders, he was, upon the Restoration, preferred to a canonry of Christ-church. He was afterwards made archdeacon of London, clerk of the closet to the king, and dean of Westminster. In 1666, he was advanced to the bishopric of Rochester, with which he held his deanry in commendam. He was a man of great generosity, candour, and benevolence, and was justly admired as a preacher. The people, as they afterwards did in the reign of Anne, assembled in crowds to hear

Him of the western dome, whose weighty sense
Flow'd in fit words, and heav'nly eloquence.
Dryden's Absolom, &c.

He was afterwards translated to York, and died the 11th of April, 1686. Two or three of his sermons only are in print.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Seth Ward (Bishop of Salisbury, 1667-89)

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Seth Ward was the first that brought mathematical learning into vogue in the university of Cambridge; where he lectured his pupils in the "Clavis Mathematica," a well known work of the celebrated Mr. Oughtred. He was followed by Dr. Barrow, who carried this branch of science to a great height. These able mathematicians were succeeded by Mr. Isaac Newton, who made such discoveries as perhaps no human capacity was ever equal to it but his own. Dr. Ward particularly excelled in astronomy, and was the first that demonstratively proved the elliptical hypothesis, which is more plain and simple, and consequently more suitable to the analogy of nature, than any other. He succeeded Mr. John Greaves, as Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford, and was, a litle before the Restoration, elected president of Trinity college, in that university; but was soon after forced to quit this preferment. He published several books of divinity; but the greatest part of his works are on mathematical subjects. See the "Athenæ Oxoniensis." This very able man, whose character was exemplary as a prelate, died on the 6th of January, 1688-9. He was a close reasoner and an admirable speaker, having, in the house of lords, been esteemed equal, at least, to the earl of Shaftesbury. He was a great benefactor to both his bishoprics, as by his interest, the deanry of Burien, in Cornwall, was annexed to the former, and the chancellorship of the garter to the latter, for ever. He was polite, hospitable, and generous; and, in his life-time, founded the college at Salisbury, for the reception and support of minister's widows; and the sumptuous hospital at Buntingford, in Hetfordshire, the place of his nativity. His intimate friend Dr. Walter Pope, the noted author of "The old Man's Wish," has given us a just and curious account of his life, interspersed with agreeable anecdotes of his friends.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Edward Rainbowe (Bishop of Carlisle, 1664-84)

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Edward Rainbow was born at Bliton near Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, on the 20th of April, 1608. He was educated at Magdalen college in Cambridge, of which he was some time master. He gave early proofs of the quickness and brilliancy of his parts by an extemporary speech, spoken at a public act, when he was called upon to supply the place of the prevaricator, who was ordered, by the vice-chancellor, to be pulled down for his scurrility. He afterwards acquitted himself with honour in an unpremeditated sermon, preached, at the request of the vice-chancellor, before the university; the person whose turn it was to preach, failing to perform his duty. He was celebrated for his eloquence in the pulpit; but his style was in the former part of his life too florid, and bordering, at least, upon affectation, a fault which he afterwards corrected. He was a man of polite manners, uncommon learning, and of exemplary piety and charity. He died on the 26th of March, 1684. There are only four of his sermons in print, the most considerable of which is that which he preached at the death of Anne, countess of Pembroke, Dorset, and Montgomery. There runs through all his works a vein of the pedantry of the two former reigns.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About John Hacket (Bishop of Lichfield 1661-70)

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The motto of this worthy prelate ["Serve God and be chearful"] was perfectly adapted to his character. He was pious and humane, learned and eloquent, and highly esteemed by all that knew him. As his temper was naturally lively, these advantages still added to his innate chearfulness, and rendered him the happy man that he appeared to be. He was chaplain in ordinary to James I. who preferred him to the rectories of St. Andrew's, Holbourn, and Cheam in Surrey. He was in the next reign promoted to a prebend and residentiary's place in the church of St. Paul, London; but was soon after forced to quit that, and his rectory of St. Andrew's, which he recovered at the Restoration. He was, the year after, advanced to the bishopric of Lichfield and Coventry. He caused the magnificent cathedral, which Dr. Plot calls "the finest public building in England," to be repaired and beautified, at the expence of 20,000 l. He wrote, during his retirement with his pupil Sir John Byron, at Newstede Abbey, his Latin comedy, entitled, "Loyola," which was twice acted before James I. His "Sermons," and his "Life of Archbishop Williams," to whom he was domestic chaplain, were published after his decease. The former are too much in the style of bishop Andrews; the latter is thought to be too favourable to the character of the archbishop. But this is not to be wondered at, as it is as difficult for a good natured and grateful person to speak ill of his friend and patron, as it is to speak of himself. Ob. 28 Oct, 1670, Æt. 78.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Edward Reynolds (Bishop of Norwich, 1661-76)

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Edward Reynolds, preacher at Lincoln's-Inn, and one of the assembly of divines, was by authority of parliament, preferred to the deanry of Christ-church in Oxford, on the 12th of April, 1648, soon after the ejection of Dr. Samuel Fell. About two years after, he was himself ejected, and Dr. John Owen, who was as highly esteemed and revered by the independents, as Dr. Reynolds was by the Presbyterians, was promoted to that deanry, which he enjoyed for about nine years. In 1659 Dr. Reynolds was again restored; but the next year was obliged to give place to Dr. Morley, who was appointed dean by royal authority. The king, soon after his Restoration, endeavoured to bring over to the church some of the most eminent divines among the dissenters, by offering them dignities. They all refused, except Dr. Reynolds, who accepted of the bishopric of Norwich. He was universally allowed to be a man of extrordinary parts, and discovers in his writings a richness of fancy, as well as a solidity of judgment. He died the 29th of July, 1676, and was buried in the new chapel belonging to his palace, which he built at his own expence.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About George Morley (Bishop of Winchester, 1662-84)

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George Morley, some time chaplain to Charles I. was a polite scholar, and an eminent divine, especially in controversy. He was, in the early part of his life, one of Ben Jonson's sons. He was also an intimate friend of lord Falkland, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Chillingworth, Mr. Waller, and others of the first eminence in the late reign. One of his excellencies, which raised him much in the esteem of all his friends, helped to degrade his character in the opinion of his enemies. This was his wit, which was natural, but uncommon; keen, but inoffensive. The very faculty was condemned by many in this age, without the least regard to its application. After the death of the king, he retired to the Hague, where he attended on Charles II. He afterwards resided at Antwerp, where he was very assiduous in his ministerial duty. During his residence abroad, he contracted an intimacy with Rivetus, Heinsius, Salmasius, Bochart, and other persons of rank in the learned world. Upon the Restoration, he was made dean of Christ-church, and the fame year bishop of Worcester, whence he was translated to Winchester. His constant practice was to rise at five o'clock in the morning, to go to bed at eleven, and eat but once a day. By these rules he preserved his health, with very little interruption, through the course of a long life. He died Oct. 29, 1684. His writings are chiefly on polemical subjects. In 1683, he published several treatises in a quarto volume. In the preface is a good account of the religious character of Anne Hyde, dutchess of York, before her conversion to popery.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Brian Duppa (Bishop of Winchester, 1660-62)

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Brian Duppa, who was successively promoted to the bishoprics of Chichester and Salisbury by Charles I. was, upon the restoration of Charles II. advanced to the see of Winchester. He had been preceptor to the latter of these princes, and was in all respects, well qualified for that important office. He was a very handsome personage, of a graceful deportment, and of an irreproachable life. He lived in retirement at Richmond during the Usurpation; and was then hospitable, generous, and charitable, to a degree beyond his fortune. He is said to have received 50,000 l. for fines, soon after his translation to Winchester. It is certain that he remitted no less than 30,000 l. to his tenants, and that he left 16,000 1. to be expended in acts of charity and munificence. He left legacies to Christ-church, and All Souls College, in Oxford; and to the several cathedrals in which he sat as bishop; and founded an alms-house at Richmond. The king asked his blessing on his knees, as he lay on his death-bed. He died March 26, 1662. He was author of sermons, and several books of Devotion. When he was bishop of Chichester, he published his "Jonsonius Verbius," which is a collection of verses in praise of Ben. Jonson and his works, by above thirty different hands.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About John Cosin (Bishop of Durham 1660-72)

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John Cosin was master of Peter-house in Cambridge, and dean of Peterborough, in the reign of Charles I. in which he enjoyed several other considerable preferments. He was accused of introducing superstitious innovations in the church of Durham, of which he was then prebendary, by Peter Smart, who had been prosecuted by him for preaching against episcopacy. He held his deanry but a short time, as he was the first of the clergy who were sequestered from their dignities and benefices by the parliament. In 1643, he retired to Paris, where he was appointed chaplain to the protestant part of queen Henrietta's family. He succeeded Dr. Morton in the see of Durham; and while he sat in that see, expended large sums in public and private charities and benefactions. He died Jan. 15, 1671-2, in the 78th year of his age. His principal work, which shews him to have been a man of learning, is his "Scholastical History of the Canon of the Holy Scripture;" a book still in esteem. The first edition was published, in 1657, the second in 1672.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Humphrey Henchman (Bishop of London, 1663-75)

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Humphrey Henchman, who was educated at Clare-hall in Cambridge, was, for his merit, promoted to the chantorship of Salisbury, in the reign of Charles I. He was one of those that helped to conceal Charles II. and were instrumental to his escape, after the battle of Worcester. Several of the royalists who assisted the king upon this important occasion, were rewarded by him at the Restoration, and were then among the most popular persons in the kingdom. Dr. Henchman succeeded Dr. Duppa in the see of Salisbury, and was removed to London upon the translation of Dr. Sheldon to Canterbury. He was, soon after his removal, made lord almoner. When the declaration for liberty of conscience was published, he was much alarmed, and strictly enjoined his clergy to preach against popery, though it gave great offence to the king. His example was followed by the other bishops. He was editor of the "Gentleman's Calling," supposed to be written by the author of the "Whole Duty of Man." Ob. Oct. 1675.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.

About Richard Sterne (Archbishop of York, 1664-1683)

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Richard Sterne, who was educated at Cambridge, was in the reign of Charles I. master of Jesus college in that university, and chaplain to archbishop Laud. Upon the commencement of the civil war, when the king's necessities were very urgent, he, and several others of the heads of houses, were very instrumental in sending the Cambridge plate to his majesty to be coined for his use. This gave great offence to Cromwell, who seized Dr. Sterne, Dr. Beale, master of St. John's College, and Dr. Martin, master of Queen's, and carried them to London; where they were imprisoned for a year, and afterwards sent on board a ship at Wapping, put under hatches, and treated with great inhumanity. A little before the execution of his good friend and patron, the archbishop, he was permitted to attend him, and performed the last offices for him on the scaffold. He lived in great obscurity till the Restoration, when he returned to his mastership of Jesus College which he held till he was made bishop of Carlisle. He was afterwards translated to York. He was a man of worth, and of good abilities as an author. He compiled a system of logic, and wrote a comment upon the 103d Psalm. He gave 1850 l. toward the re-building of St. Paul's church. Ob. 18 June, 1683, Æt. 87.
---A Biographical History of England. J. Granger, 1779.